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Platelet activity and phosphoinositide turnover increase with advancing age.
E J Bastyr1, M M Kadrofske, A I Vinik
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
The American Journal of Medicine
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Aging increases blood platelet activity, linked to altered phosphoinositide turnover. This study found age-related changes in platelet signaling pathways, correlating with enhanced platelet aggregation and secretion.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
- Hematology
Background:
- Blood platelet activity demonstrably increases with advancing age.
- Enhanced platelet activity in aging individuals is a significant concern for cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between age-related changes in phosphoinositide turnover and enhanced platelet activity.
- To determine if alterations in platelet signal transduction mechanisms contribute to aging-associated hyperreactivity.
Main Methods:
- Platelets were obtained from 40 healthy adults aged 22-62.
- In vitro platelet aggregation and plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TBG) levels were measured.
- Basal and thrombin-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover was assessed using [32P]-orthophosphate incorporation.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between age and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation.
- Increasing age correlated positively with basal levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP).
- Age was also associated with increased thrombin-stimulated PIP2 hydrolysis and phosphatidic acid formation.
Conclusions:
- Age-related alterations in phosphoinositide turnover are linked to enhanced platelet activity.
- Changes in basal and stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism may underlie the increased platelet reactivity observed in aging.
- These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of age-associated platelet hyperreactivity.